Summary
Lysimachia nummularia, also known as moneywort or creeping jenny, is a species of flowering plant in the primrose family (Primulaceae). It is native to Europe and Asia, and is naturalized in many other parts of the world. The plant is known for its small, round, bright green leaves and small, yellow flowers that bloom in the summer months. It is a perennial plant, meaning it will come back year after year. It is often grown in gardens for its attractive foliage and flowers, and it is also used in landscaping as a groundcover plant due to its prostrate growth habit. Lysimachia nummularia prefers moist, well-drained soils and partial shade, although it can tolerate full sun if provided with enough water.
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Creeping Jenny is a low-growing, trailing plant that is popular among gardeners for its ability to spread quickly and add a pop of bright green to any garden bed or container. This plant is known botanically as Lysimachia nummularia and is a member of the Primulaceae family. It is native to Europe and Asia and is hardy in USDA zones 3 to 9.
Appearance
Creeping Jenny is a prostrate plant that spreads quickly and forms a dense mat of leaves. The leaves are rounded, coin-shaped, and bright green, with a slightly wrinkled appearance. They are about 1 inch in diameter and grow on slender stems that can reach up to 8 inches in length.
The plant produces small, yellow, five-petaled flowers that bloom in clusters from late spring to early autumn. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they add a subtle touch of color to the garden.
Culture
Creeping Jenny is easy to grow and care for, making it a great choice for beginners. It grows best in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-drained soil. However, it can tolerate a wide range of soils, including those that are poorly drained, as long as the soil remains consistently moist.
The plant is drought-tolerant once established, but it does best with regular watering during periods of drought. It is also resistant to pests and diseases, making it a low-maintenance choice for any garden.
Uses
Creeping Jenny is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in the garden. It is often used as a ground cover, particularly in areas where other plants struggle to grow. It can also be used as a trailing plant in hanging baskets or in containers, where it will spill over the sides and add a touch of green.
The plant is also commonly used in rock gardens and along the edges of water features, where it can help to soften the lines and add a touch of greenery. It is also an excellent choice for planting along the edges of a garden bed, where it can be used to create a natural-looking border.
In summary, Creeping Jenny is a low-growing, trailing plant that is easy to grow and care for, making it a great choice for beginners. With its bright green leaves and yellow flowers, it adds a pop of color to any garden and can be used in a variety of ways to enhance the overall design. Whether you're looking for a ground cover, trailing plant, or border, Creeping Jenny is a versatile choice that is sure to bring life to your garden.
Propagation
Creeping Jenny can be propagated easily from stem cuttings or division. To propagate from stem cuttings, simply take a stem cutting of about 4 inches in length and plant it in moist soil. Keep the soil moist and provide bright, indirect light until the cutting has rooted and begins to grow.
To propagate by division, simply divide the clumps of Creeping Jenny in spring or fall. Simply dig up the plant and separate it into smaller sections, being careful to include a good amount of roots with each division. Replant the divisions and water them well, and they will soon begin to grow and spread.
Design Tips
When using Creeping Jenny in your garden, there are a few design tips to keep in mind:
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Use Creeping Jenny to add a pop of color: With its bright green leaves and yellow flowers, Creeping Jenny is a great way to add a pop of color to your garden. Try planting it in a container or hanging basket, or use it as a ground cover to add a burst of green to your garden beds.
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Soften hard edges: Creeping Jenny is a great choice for softening the lines of hard structures in your garden, such as retaining walls, sidewalks, or patio edges. Plant it along the edges of these structures to create a natural-looking transition.
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Create a natural border: Use Creeping Jenny to create a natural-looking border along the edges of your garden beds. It will spread quickly and create a lush, green barrier between your garden and the surrounding lawn or landscape.
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Combine with other plants: Creeping Jenny looks great when combined with other plants. Try planting it with flowers such as pansies, petunias, or violets for a pop of color, or with other trailing plants such as sweet potato vine or English ivy.
Creeping Jenny is a versatile and low-maintenance plant that is sure to add life to your garden. With its bright green leaves and yellow flowers, it is a great way to add a pop of color to your garden, and its ability to spread quickly makes it a great choice for ground cover or as a trailing plant in hanging baskets or containers. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, Creeping Jenny is a plant that is sure to bring joy to your garden for years to come.
Maintenance
Creeping Jenny is a low-maintenance plant that requires little upkeep to thrive. However, there are a few things to keep in mind to keep your plant looking its best:
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Watering: Creeping Jenny prefers moist soil, so be sure to water it regularly, especially during periods of drought. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely, as this can cause the leaves to wilt and the plant to become stressed.
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Pruning: To encourage full and healthy growth, you can pinch back the tips of the stems to encourage branching. You can also prune back the plant if it gets too large or leggy, or if you want to control its spread.
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Fertilizing: Creeping Jenny is not a heavy feeder and does not require frequent fertilization. However, you can give it a boost of nutrients in spring by applying a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer.
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Controlling spread: Creeping Jenny can spread quickly, so it's important to keep an eye on its growth and control it if needed. You can do this by pruning back the stems, removing rooted runners, or by planting it in a container.
Pests and Diseases
Creeping Jenny is a tough and resilient plant that is resistant to most pests and diseases. However, it can be susceptible to root rot if the soil is consistently wet or poorly drained. To prevent root rot, be sure to plant your Creeping Jenny in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering.
In addition, Creeping Jenny can be vulnerable to fungal diseases if the leaves stay wet for extended periods of time. To prevent fungal diseases, water your plant at the base to avoid getting water on the leaves, and be sure to provide good air circulation by spacing the plants adequately.
In conclusion, Creeping Jenny is a low-maintenance plant that is easy to grow and care for. With its bright green leaves and yellow flowers, it is a great way to add a pop of color to your garden, and its ability to spread quickly makes it a versatile choice for ground cover, trailing plants, and borders. With just a little care and attention, your Creeping Jenny is sure to thrive for years to come.
Uses in Landscaping
Creeping Jenny is a versatile plant that can be used in a variety of ways in landscaping. Some of the most popular ways to use Creeping Jenny in your garden include:
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Ground Cover: Creeping Jenny is an excellent ground cover plant due to its ability to spread quickly and fill in large areas. It is great for planting in difficult areas such as slopes or rocky terrain, as it will help to stabilize the soil and prevent erosion.
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Hanging Baskets: Creeping Jenny's trailing stems and small, attractive leaves make it a great choice for hanging baskets. It will trail gracefully over the sides of the basket, adding a touch of greenery to your patio or deck.
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Containers: Creeping Jenny is also a great choice for containers, either alone or in combination with other plants. Use it to add a pop of green to your patio, porch, or balcony.
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Rock Gardens: Creeping Jenny is a great plant for rock gardens, as it can thrive in well-drained soil and can help to soften the look of hard, angular rocks.
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Borders: Use Creeping Jenny to create a natural-looking border along the edges of your garden beds. It will spread quickly and create a lush, green barrier between your garden and the surrounding lawn or landscape.
In conclusion, Creeping Jenny is a versatile and attractive plant that can be used in a variety of ways in landscaping. With its bright green leaves and yellow flowers, it is a great way to add a pop of color to your garden, and its ability to spread quickly makes it a great choice for ground cover, hanging baskets, containers, rock gardens, and borders. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced gardener, Creeping Jenny is a plant that is sure to bring joy to your garden for years to come.
Video
Creeping Jenny filmed at Capernwray, Lancashire on the 17th July 2022.
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